["FRIVOLOUS FELLOWSHIP" - A Worksheet]

SELF-CONTROL (See also "Control")
 

A. THE CONNECTION BETWEEN SELF-CONTROL AND SALVATION / SPIRITUAL GROWTH

1. An element of "faith in Jesus Christ." Acts 24:25 (compare to v. 24)
   
   
2. Taught to us by the grace [saving kindness] of God. Titus 2:12
   
   
3. Fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:23
   
   
4. Must be added to faith (and the other listed Christian virtues), in increasing measure. 2 Peter 1:6 (v. 5-7)
    

B. THE CONNECTION BETWEEN SELF-CONTROL AND OTHER THINGS

1. NOW: Things that are, or that should [i.e., must] be done.
   • Belonging to the "day." 1 Thessalonians 5:8 [sober]
     
   • Minds prepared for action. (Also: confident hope.) 1 Peter 1:13
     
   • Prayer. 1 Peter 4:7
     
   • Putting on faith/love/hope. 1 Thessalonians 5:8 [sober]
      
2. FUTURE: Things to come
   • Anticipation of "the end." 1 Peter 4:7
     
   • Waiting for Jesus Christ Titus 2:12 (& v. 13)
     
   • Minds focused on the grace/kindness you confidently hope for [look forward to] - (to be given/received when Jesus returns). 1 Peter 1:13
      
3. Opposition to evil
   • Saying "NO" to ungodliness and worldly passions. Titus 2:12
     
   • Resisting the Devil 1 Peter 5:8 (& v.9)
      

C. ADDITIONAL ATTITUDES & CHARACTER TRAITS THAT ARE REQUIRED (IN ADDITION TO SELF-CONTROL)

1. Proper use of the mind; attentiveness
   • "Alert and self-controlled." 1 Thessalonians 5:6 [sober], 1 Peter 5:8 [sober]
     
   • "Clear-minded and self-controlled." 1 Peter 4:7 [both words translated various ways]
      
2. Other Characteristics/qualities required in believer's lives.
   • List of qualifications for being an overseer. 1 Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:8 [both verses: sober-minded, good judgment, sensible, etc.]
     
   • List of virtues / character traits, that must be ever-increasing in the believer's life. 2 Peter 1:5-6
     
   • List of several things an older woman must teach younger women, regarding how to live their lives. Titus 2:5 [self controlled, sensible, wise, discreet, etc.]
     
   • One of the several characteristics required of older men Titus 2:2 [sensible, wise, good judgment]
     
   • How the grace of God teaches all of us to live: self-controlled, upright, and godly. Titus 2:12 [sensibly, temperately, self-restrained]
      

D. REQUIRED BY...

1. Overseers 1 Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:8 [both verses: sober-minded, good judgment, sensible, etc.]
   
   
2. Older men Titus 2:2 [sensible, wise, good judgment, etc.]
   
   
3. Younger men Titus 2:6 [sensible, wise, good judgment, etc.]
   
   
4. Older women are to teach it to younger women. [Implies that both must have it.] Titus 2:5 [self controlled, sensible, wise, discreet, etc.]
   
   
5. DIRECT COMMANDS APPLIED TO ALL - 1 Thessalonians 5:6,8; 1 Peter 1:13,5:8; 2 Peter 1:6; etc.
    

E. LACK OF SELF-CONTROL

1. General comments about it
   • Those without it are likened to a city with broken-down walls (= defenseless). Proverbs 25:28
     
   • A characteristic of people in the "Last Days." 2 Timothy 3:3 [profligate]
     
   • Lack of self-control in sexual matters is one of the reasons that a husband and wife should not avoid sexual relations for extended periods of time. 1 Corinthians 7:5
      
2. People who don't have self-control: what they are like
   • Nearsighted, blind, forgetful about being cleansed from past sins. 2 Peter 1:6+
     
   • Sleeping in darkness. 1 Thessalonians 5:6

Dennis Hinks © 1999
041221

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